Senate Engrossed

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-first Legislature

First Regular Session

2013

 

 

 

CHAPTER 179

 

SENATE BILL 1108

 

 

AN ACT

 

Amending section 8-509, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to child welfare and placement.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 



Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Section 8-509, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-509.  Licensing of foster homes; renewal of license; provisional license; exemption from licensure; immunization requirements

A.  The division shall license and certify foster homes.  Licenses are valid for a period of one year.

B.  The division shall not issue a license without satisfactory proof that the foster parent or parents have completed six actual hours of approved initial foster parent training as set forth in section 8‑503 and that each foster parent and each other adult member of the household has a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41‑1758.07.  The foster parent and each other adult member of the household must certify on forms that are provided by the division and that are notarized whether the foster parent or other adult member of the household is awaiting trial on or has ever been convicted of any of the criminal offenses listed in section  41‑1758.07, subsections B and C in this state or similar offenses in another state or jurisdiction.

C.  The division shall not renew a license without satisfactory proof that the foster parent or parents have completed six actual hours of approved ongoing foster parent training as set forth in section 8‑503.

D.  Notwithstanding the requirements of subsections B and C of this section, if the division determines a condition of hardship to the foster parent or parents, the division may issue a provisional license for a period not to exceed six months.  A provisional license may not be renewed.

E.  Child welfare agencies that submit foster homes for licensing shall conduct an investigation of the foster home pursuant to licensing rules of the division.  The division shall conduct investigations of all other foster homes.  If the foster home meets all requirements set by the division, the agency shall submit an application stating the foster home's qualifications to the division.  The agency may also recommend the types of licensing and certification to be granted to the foster home.

F.  The division shall accept an adoptive home certification study as a licensing home study if the study has been updated within the past three months to include the information necessary to determine whether the home meets foster care licensing standards.

G.  This section shall does not apply when if the child is placed in a home by a means other than by court order and when if the home receives no does not receive compensation from the this state or any political subdivision of the this state.

H.  The division shall does not prohibit a person operating a licensed foster home from applying for or receiving compensation as a foster home parent due to employment with the this state of Arizona.

i.  The division shall not require a foster parent to immunize the foster parent's natural or adoptive children as a condition of foster home licensure. END_STATUTE

(EMERGENCY NOT ENACTED)

Sec. 2.  Emergency

This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.


 

 

 

 

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR MAY 2, 2013.

 

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY 2, 2013.